Diuris striata

Diuris striata is a tuberous, perennial herb with a two linear leaves 80–120 mm (3–5 in) long, about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide and folded lengthwise. About four mauve flowers about 20 mm (0.8 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem about 220 mm (9 in) tall. The dorsal sepal is erect, 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long, 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide and egg-shaped. The lateral sepals are linear, about 15 mm (0.6 in) long and turned downwards. The petals spread apart from each other, egg-shaped to more or less lance-shaped, about 7 mm (0.3 in) long and 5 mm (0.2 in) wide. The labellum is about 9 mm (0.4 in) long and has three lobes. The centre lobe is egg-shaped to heart-shaped and 6 mm (0.24 in) wide with dark purple streaks. The side lobes are linear to egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, about 2.5 mm (0.1 in) long and 1 mm (0.04 in) wide. There are two callus ridges about 5 mm (0.2 in) long near the mid-line of the labellum. Flowering has only been observed in November.[2]

Diuris striata was first formally described in 1944 by Herman Rupp and the description was published in his book The Orchids of New South Wales.[3] Rupp noted "No specimens are known and the following brief description is quoted from Moore and Betche's Handbook: [Handbook of the flora of New South Wales : a description of the flowering plants and ferns indigenous to New South Wales][4] "Flowers lilac. Lateral sepals under 1 in (30 mm) long, the dorsal one rather longer than the labellum. Petals ovate-lanceolate. Lateral lobes of the labellum short, acute, recurved, the middle lobe broadly spathulate. Flowers not blotched, but the labellum barred with darker lines".[5] The specific epithet (striata) is derived from the Latin word meaning stria meaning "furrow", "channel" or "stripe".[6]

This orchid is only known from the type collection made near Forbes before 1889.[2]